As we get ready to celebrate Halloween, what better time to explore our deepest, darkest obsessions—like Blithe dolls, Camfrog or dressing up in Final Fantasy costumes? Brace yourselves as BK introduces you to some people whose lives are ruled by their often-creepy personal passions.
A DARK OBSESSION
Dark Lord Kael, is a filmmaker, he’s also over 100 years old, has real fangs and runs the website www.darkasia.com, an online meeting point for South East Asia’s Goth & Vampyre (sic) community.
How did you first get involved with this community?
Well I wouldn’t say anything “made me,” this is simply my natural orientation. My tastes just happen to differ from the mainstream. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been into the macabre. Just like there’s day and night, people like me are a very natural element of reality.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for your hobby?
I wouldn’t call it a hobby really... it’s a way of life. I guess, from people’s reactions, it was probably having permanent fangs implanted a few years ago. It was never meant to provoke—that’d be giving much more importance to people’s opinion than I do—but to help better relate my inner-self and my physical appearance. Plus, they are much more efficient methods when it comes to biting willing ladies necks.
What is the purpose of darkasia.com?
The idea is to help Goths, Vampyres and other civilized Dark-oriented people, to get in touch in SEA. Apart from the Philippines, where the Dark scene is quite well developed, this region has been very quiet when it comes to serious Dark movements.
What do you do when you meet up?
Normally we meet up three or four times a month, and endlessly discuss science, philosophy, politics, theology and art in a very aristocratic—though obviously libertarian and decadent—way, of course. We also organize club events called “Gothica,” and we’re working on some film projects.
Where do you get your outfits?
There are many online shops to buy from. You’d be surprised by the darkish things you can find in Bangkok’s malls and markets. We tend to avoid most emo- and cosplay-oriented shops as they are overpriced, plus the fake-slash-superficial and stereotypical approach around this scene becomes quickly annoying. Some of us design our own clothes. Black is not a rule but more a common predilection, there’s no uniform in the Goth community. We’ve all got a taste for macabre aesthetics and dark clothing, but what’s much more important in the end is who you are on the inside.
What do you do for living?
I’m a filmmaker and multimedia creative as well as being a DJ. It’s interesting that artistic fields are easier at accepting you the way you are. As long as you are good at what you do, what you look like doesn’t really matter. Erasing your personality isn’t a prerequisite, unlike many of today’s office jobs. But you know, we do also have corporate Goths in Bangkok... You may even have one in your office.
What does your family and other people think?
My family is probably more open-minded than many, so that helps. Now on a larger scale, you are what you are, whether you chose to hide behind bland codes to disappear in the name of “social acceptance,” or not. If not, you’ve got to assume that some simple minded people will reject you. Clearly a good thing, who wants to be consensual among servile people really? Since my life choices aren’t malevolent or illegal, people simply have to accept me the way I am.
FANTASY FASHIONS
Every month this 21-year-old cosplay fanatic undergoes a remarkable transformation—from university student Melissa Sirikasem, into elite exorcist of the Order of Magdalene, Rosette Christopher.
How did you first get started?
Like a lot of teenagers, I enjoyed reading manga and playing online games. I was always aware of cosplay and thought it was interesting but I was too shy to wear those fancy costumes. That was until about four years ago when I went to university and met people who shared the same interests. We started hanging out and that gave me the confidence to start dressing up and take that first step into the world of cosplay.
What do you like about it?
I can lose myself in this separate, fantasy world. It’s a feeling I’ve only been able to capture with cosplay.
What does it involve?
We pick a comic book we all like, either Japanese or American, and then study it in detail for a few months to get to know each character. Then we all get together and choose who is going to be who.
What sort of people do cosplay?
Most of us are students between 12 and 25. There are some older people but over 70% of us are women.
What’s your favorite character ?
That would have to be Rosette Christopher from the Japanese manga Chrno Crusade.
Where do you get your outfits?
At first I borrowed my friends’ cosplay outfit to save money. Many of my pals go to made-to-order shops, but that can cost around B3,000 per dress. That’s too much for me to afford, so instead, I pick the dress of a character that I like the most and draw a cloth pattern for both front and back. I then take my sketch to a baan baan tailor’s shop around Pahurat. This way I spend just B1,000 something per dress. To complete the outfits, we go hunting for material to do handmade accessories at Sumpeng. I’ve managed to put together six cosplay costumes that I’m really proud of.
How often do you guys meet up?
There’s a cosplay party almost every week and regular cosplay events going on at CentralWorld or MBK. If not, we meet up at a friend’s, get dressed up and take photos just for fun. Sometimes we do join charity events. We just did one to support St. Louis hospital. We go there, sell our stuff and let people take a picture with us in exchange for donations. This year I also entered my first cosplay competition, J-Fest 2009; that was an incredible experience.
How do people react to your hobby?
My parents and the rest of the family were really not happy with it at first. But I think they have a better picture of what exactly we’re doing and they’re now pretty cool. My cousin even helps me make the outfits.
What do people say when you’re wearing the outfits?
Normally, people will crowd around asking for a photo with us. I haven’t really come across people who are against us.
Find out more about the cosplay community in Thailand at www.exteen.com
FRIGHT-FLICK FEVER
Mild-mannered Karun Chittararak, 23, might look like a regular guy, but this creative writer has a darker side. His obsession with horror flicks has seen him sitting through a thousand slasher movies and gain an encyclopedic knowledge of this gory genre—earning him a lifetime of free movies in the process.
How did your obsession first start?
It was when I was 10 years old. My uncle happened to have a really big video collection. I was on holiday and I was bored so I started watching movies. Out of all the different genres, I just couldn’t get enough of the horror flicks; they were just so powerful and awesome. I became obsessed, studying everything about them, from behind the scenes trivia to how they were made.
What’s so special about horror movies?
I love the mystery factor in horror movies, the fact that you never know what’s going to happen next and how will it end. Also I like the fact that horror movies from different countries reflect their culture and lifestyle. I can learn and experience these cultural differences through the film. I mean, you can discover lots of hidden content behind the emotion of fear and terror. Maybe that’s why Thai horror movies are my favorites, they always talk directly to me.
Which are your favorite horror flicks?
Well I guess in terms of classics, The Exorcist has to be number one. It’s a film that always manages to freak people out. In terms of Thai horror then Buppah Rahtree has everything needed for a good horror story.
How many horror movies have you watched?
I reckon well over a thousand.
What movie would you recommend for horror novices?
For our generation, Shutter would be perfect. It’s a modern classic.
What’s the craziest thing you’re done for your hobby?
I guess it would be watching six movies in onev day. I was at the cinema when it opened!
What’s your collection like?
Well I have over 500 DVDs but I would point out that they are not all horror films. I’m not a complete crazy, I can watch other movies as well. I also collect movie posters, handbills and movie magazines.
How has your hobby affected the rest of your life?
Well I actually entered and won the quiz show Fan Pan Tae back in 2005. I received a trophy, a home theater and best of all a lifetime free movie card for Major Hollywood cinema. It also gave me the opportunity to meet many experts in loads of different subjects. It’s great now, when I need help to write about something specific at work, I just call them up.
How do people react to your hobby?
People think I’m a bit unusual and a little freaky but I don’t mind. Most people just watch horror movies for fun. But the more you watch them, the more you realize that the good films can take you across the line and give you a hidden, deeper message. A good horror movie always teaches me a lesson.
A FREAKY FAMILY AFFAIR
Child psychologist Kanlayarat Neeranartpuree, may be 30 years old but she’s kept in touch with her inner child through her continuing love of dolls and in particular her collection of characters from Sylvanian Families.
When did you first get started?
I guess I was about 14. I was wandering through the shopping mall when I spotted these tiny toy animals in a case. Looking into their eyes they were just so adorable, I haven’t been able to resist since!
What made you start collecting them?
It’s the fact they’re just like humans. With their own families and houses, everything! These small dolls stuck in my head and I promised myself that one day, when I had a job, I would use my wages to collect them. I stuck to that promise. I get such an amazing feeling just looking at my collection so I believe it’s definitely worth it.
What’s the big appeal?
It’s a way of obtaining or achieving things I can’t have in my real life. So, for example, I can’t afford a fancy house with a little garden. And I always dreamed of opening a flower shop. I can own these things in the Sylvanian world. Last month, I even created a Sylvanian wedding. Everything from the decoration, to creating a stop-motion presentation, it was like a dream come true. It was the sweetest wedding ever!
How often do you play with them?
Well when I was still in school and university, I got to play with them a lot. But now they’re all still unwrapped. It’s kind of unfair. When you have plenty time to play you don’t have the money to buy. Now in contrast, I have money to buy more but not enough time to enjoy them properly.
How much do you spend on your hobby?
I reckon about B10,000 a month. But I have a complaint, the leading department stores haven’t imported the latest collections of Sylvanian for a while.
Are They Nuts?
We discuss obsessive behaviors with psychiatrist Yothin Wichetwichai, M.D. from Samitivej Hospital.
What is obsession?
By and large, obsession presents itself as negative behavior that creates more problems for the obsessed individual than advantages. If someone obsesses over something, or someone, too much so that it starts to affect other people, then that is an obsessive disorder. It means you need help. Obsession can lead to harmful physical and mental consequences.
So what’s the root of obsession?
Famous psychologist Sigmund Freud suggested a core theory of psychology: Psychic Determinism. This proposes that human behavior always has a reason. Meaning all aspects of a person’s action arise from instinctual drives caused by previous experiences, both conscious and unconscious. So something you’re crazy or obsessed about might happen because of a hidden or long forgotten memory. If you’re crazy for a hot singer with very long hair, you might have been raised by a long haired nanny when you were a baby.
What is obsessive psychosis?
This is when the obsession is extreme enough that it can lead to harm of the individual or others. These people need help immediately.
Freaky Friday
This Oct 31, look your worst with these costume and fancy dress shops.
Eerie Mascot
P.R. Fancy (Petchchara)
• 448 Rachatewi Apartment, Petchburi Soi 18, 02-656-5831, 02-656-5828. www.prfancy.com. Open daily 10am-10pm
If you’re heading to a Halloween party, then P.R. Fancy has the outfits. From gorilla costumes to Egyptian princesses, you can fulfill those wildest dreams. There’s a B1,000 deposit for each costume and rentals start from B300. They can also provide wigs, accessories and shoes—even a makeup service if you really want to embrace your new persona.
Sexy Vampire
Ann Shop
• 4/F City Complex bldg., Petchburi Soi 21, 02-653-9523. www.clickannshop.com. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Be bedazzled, literally, by the sheer range of hot outfits at Ann Shop. Look past the glitter and feathers though and you can pick up some slinky items from latex numbers to miniskirts in a variety of colors and sizes. There are also fun accessories like devil horns and feathered boas. Prices start at B300-500. Buy three items to get a wholesale rate. No rental.
Hot Devil
Cinderella
• 668 Soi Mahawongtai, 08-9601-7744, 08-6774,9260, 02-640-5553. www.cinderellafancy.com
Fancy transforming into a fairytale devil? This famous shop is another place that can make your dreams (or nightmares) a reality. With prices starting at B600 for a three-day rental, this stuff is perfect for the spooky holidays. They have everything from wicked witches to Snow White. They can also tailor the outfit to make sure it’s suitably body-hugging.
